Humidifier arrangements and control systems

ABSTRACT

The electrical connections of a chamber or enclosure for a water tub can be protected through the use of spill element sensors. The spill element sensors can help to disable the delivery of power to the heater of a water tub in the event that the electrical connections become wet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/033,072, filed Jul. 11, 2018, entitled “HUMIDIFIER ARRANGEMENTS ANDCONTROL SYSTEMS”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/659,380, filed Jul. 25, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,047,964,entitled “HUMIDIFIER ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS”, which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/528,887, filed Oct.30, 2014, entitled “HUMIDIFIER ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,726,390, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/897,471, filed Oct. 30, 2013, entitled “HUMIDIFIERARRANGEMENTS AND CONTROL SYSTEMS”, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. Any and all applications for which a foreign ordomestic priority claim is identified above or in the Application DataSheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated byreference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure generally relates to devices for humidifyingrespiratory gases. More particularly, the present disclosure relates toheating arrangements, sensors, and control systems for use with devicesfor humidifying respiratory gases.

Description of Related Art

Respiratory disorders deal with the inability of a sufferer to effect asufficient exchange of gases with the environment, leading to animbalance of gases in the sufferer. These disorders can arise as apathological consequence of an obstruction of the airway, insufficiencyof the lungs in generating negative pressure, an irregularity in thenervous function of the brain stem, or some other disorder. Treatment ofsuch disorders is diverse and depends on the particular respiratorydisorder being targeted. In the first instance, a constriction of theairway, otherwise known as an obstructive apnea or a hypopnea(collectively referred to as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA), can occurwhen the muscles that normally keep the airway open in a patient relaxduring slumber to the extent that the airway is constrained orcompletely closed off, a phenomenon often manifesting itself in the formof snoring. When this occurs for a significant period of time, thepatient's brain typically recognizes the threat of hypoxia and partiallywakes the patient in order to open the airway so that normal breathingmay resume. The patient may be unaware of these occurrences, which mayoccur as many as several hundred times per session of sleep. Thispartial awakening may significantly reduce the quality of the patient'ssleep, over time potentially leading to a variety of symptoms, includingchronic fatigue, elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, weightgain, headaches, irritability, depression, and anxiety.

In general, respiratory disorders are commonly treated by theapplication of gases at a pressure or flow greater than normallyexperienced by the patient under ambient conditions. In order toameliorate discomfort and/or mucosal tissue damage that may rise fromadministration of cold and/or dry gases, the gas used to treat therespiratory disorder may be humidified. In some configurations, the gasmay be humidified by forcing the gas to travel through a passover-typehumidification chamber containing water and a heater for heating saidwater. In such a configuration, the heater encourages the evaporation ofthe water, which in turn imbues the stream of air with moisture.

SUMMARY

In many humidification systems for humidifying respiratory gases, wateris placed into a tub (or a chamber) by a user and in some cases the tubis removed before the tub can be filled. In some cases, thehumidification system may be moved when water is in the tub. In suchcases, there is an increased risk that the user may spill water into thechamber or housing of the system when handling the tub or filling thetub. If the water is spilled onto, for example, the electricalconnections for a heating device (e.g., a heater plate) that sits withinthe chamber, it is possible that the exposure to water may corrode theconnections. Additionally, the spillage of large quantities of waterwithin the enclosure can lead to undesirable situations. In someconfigurations, a base unit can include electrical contacts configuredto provide electrical power to a heater plate integrated into a watertub. Water spillage onto the base unit may cause electrical shortsand/or other undesirable situations. Thus, it is an object of thedisclosure to provide an improved humidification system that might solveone or more of the above problems, or at least provide the public with auseful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the detailed description herein havingreference to the figures that follow, of which:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a humidification system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example water tub with an integrated heaterelement.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of a humidification system wherein conductivesensing elements have been placed on a surface of the humidificationchamber.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of a humidification system wherein conductivesensing elements have been placed on a surface of the water tub.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary sealing structure for use with a humidificationchamber wherein conductive sensing elements have been placed on thesurface of the sealing structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example surface of a base unit configured tochannel water into a recessed portion to detect the presence of water sothat the water is separated from electrical terminals.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example circuit for controlling power toelectrical contacts based at least in part on the output of a watersensor.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example control system for ahumidification chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An aspect of at least one of the configurations disclosed hereinincludes the realization that exposed electrical connections in ahumidification system may be protected through the use of water sensingelements that can be used to help to limit or disconnect the supply ofpower to such electrical connections.

With reference to FIG. 1, a humidification system 100 for use with arespiratory therapy device is shown. The system 100 shown may comprise atub 106. The tub 106 may in use store a quantity of water 108 or otherhumidification agent. A base unit, chamber, humidification compartment,or enclosure 112 may support the tub 106. The tub 106 may comprise a gasinlet 122, a gas outlet 124, and a heating element 110 that may be usedto heat the water 108 in the tub 106 so that gases moving through thetub 106 from the inlet 122 in use may be heated and moistened with watervapour before moving through the outlet 124. The tub 106 may alsocomprise an aperture (not shown) that may be used to fill the tub 106with water 108. Conduits (not shown) may be used to carry gas from a gassource (not shown) to the tub 106, and from the tub 106 to a patient orpatient interface (not shown). The heating element 110 may be any means,structure or configuration by which heat may be generated and suppliedto heat the water 108 in the tub 106.

In some configurations, the tub 106 may be formed from a plastic resin.In some configurations, the heating element 110 may be a metallicresistive heater plate that may heat the water 108 in the tub 106. Insome configurations, the heating element 110 may comprise a resistivefoil/film/ink that has been cut, stamped, printed, and/or etched to forma particular shape or area that is effective for promoting heating inthe water 108. In some configurations, the heating may be even heating.In some configurations, the heating element 110 may comprise a resistivewire embedded within or on a substrate. In some configurations, theheating element 110 may comprise a resistive material that has beenetched or printed onto material that may reside on a substrate. In someconfigurations, the heating element 110 may be on or in a surface of, orintegrally formed with, the tub 106. In some configurations, the heatingelement 110 may be on or in a surface of, or integrally formed with, thebase unit 112.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of a water tub 60 with anintegrated heater element 68. The heater element 68 may be a metallicprinted circuit board (PCB) and may comprise tracks of conductivemetallic foils arranged on the PCB. In an example, the heating elementmay include conductive metallic foils, e.g., a copper foil, arranged ina serpentine pattern on the dielectric laminate layer. The heatingelement may have a direct current (DC) resistance in a range of about 5to 25 Ohms, e.g., 5-15 Ohms, at room temperature. The thickness of eachtrack of the heating element may be in a range, for example, of about0.4 mm to 1 mm. In some implementations, the tub 60 can include theheating element that includes a PCB-type substrate. The substrate mayinclude a metallic layer, a copper layer, and a dielectric laminatelayer between the metallic layer and the copper layer. The metalliclayer may be constructed of aluminum, stainless steel, other heatconductive metals, or even other types of PCB substrates. The dielectriclaminate layer may be constructed of a ceramic or polymeric material.The heating tracks may be etched in the copper or heating alloy layer. Aprotective layer may be printed onto at least the copper layer.

To supply power to the heating element 110 and thereby generate heat, anelectrical connection between the heating element 110 and the base unit112 may be used. Any means, structure or configuration for establishingan electrical connection between the heating element 110 and the baseunit 112 may be used. In some configurations, the heating element 110may comprise spring contacts 116, 118 that can contact conductive padsor terminals 114 on the base unit 112. In some configurations, theheating element 110 may comprise conductive pads or terminals 114 thatcan contact spring contacts 116, 118 on the base unit 112. In someconfigurations, the element 110/unit 112 connection may be a loosedrop-in style connection. In some configurations, the element 110/unit112 connection may be a tongue-and-groove style connection similar tothat found in a typical wall socket. The element 110 may comprise one ormore tongues (not shown) that may fit into one or more correspondinggrooves (not shown) on the unit 112. Alternatively, or in addition tothe above, the unit 112 may comprise one or more tongues that may fitinto one or more corresponding grooves on the element 110. In someconfigurations, the contacts 116, 118 can be electrically conductingpads configured to contact spring-loaded terminals on the base unit 112.The electrically conducting pads can protrude from the bottom of the tub106. In some configurations, the contacts 116, 118 can be spring-loadedplungers configured to contact corresponding conductive receptors thatcan be flat, protruding, or recessed relative to a surface on the baseunit 112. In some embodiments, the contacts 116, 118 and terminals 114can be mechanically configured to allow the tub to be seated onto thebase unit 112 so that rotation of the tub 112, when seated, is resisteddue to the mechanical contact of the contacts 116, 118 and terminals114. This can advantageously ensure electrical contact in the presenceof movement or disturbance of the humidification system 100.

The electrical terminals may connect the heating element 110 to acontroller that may be connectable to a power source, such as anelectrical wall socket. The controller may regulate the voltage orcurrent applied to the heating element 110. In an example, thecontroller may provide one or more of the following: power switch,temperature sensing, fault detection (e.g., open, short, overtemperature, poor connection, sensor, water ingress to PCB, CPU, powerdevice, power switch), fault protection, and/or electrical interfacingto the heating element 110.

FIG. 2 shows a humidifier tub or water tub 60 for heating water 62according to embodiments described herein. The tub 60 includes sidewalls64, or sidewall portions, or tub sidewalls extending around the entireperimeter of the tub and a bottom wall 66 which joins to the sidewalls.A heating apparatus or heating assembly 68 is incorporated into thebottom wall 66. In an example, the sidewalls 64 and bottom wall 66(e.g., formed of plastic) are overmolded onto the heating apparatus 68.In the illustrated example, the bottom wall 66 is molded over peripheraledges of the dielectric layer 72, heating element 74, and protectivelayer 76. In some implementations, the protective layer may cover one ormore layers of the heating apparatus.

The heating apparatus 68 is formed as a lamination of a hot plate 70, athermally conductive dielectric layer 72, a heating element 74 and aprotective layer 76. The hot plate may be a metal plate having a firstside with an anodized coating which is adapted to form the bottominterior surface of the tub exposed to the water 62. The opposite sideof the hot plate receives the thermally conductive dielectric layer 72which may be a resin with dielectric particles.

The heating element 74 may be a serpentine track of a metallic foil,e.g. forming a serpentine track of conductive foil, that is printed onor otherwise applied to a side of the dielectric layer 72 opposite tothe hot plate 70. Contact pads 78 may be arranged at each of the ends ofthe track of the heating element or close to the edge of the hot plateto allow for a spring electrical contact. The contact pads 78 may beexposed through the protective layer 76. Further the contact pads may beformed with raised terminals which protrude slightly from the bottomwall 66 of the tub. Such arrangement allows the contact pads 78 toengage power terminals at, for example, the bottom of a humidifierchamber which provides electrical power to the heating element. In use,the exposed contact pad 78 may engage a power terminal or springelectrical contact at the bottom of a humidifier chamber when the tub isengaged with the humidifier chamber, e.g., a push-down or drop-inelectrical contact connection configuration.

As described herein, the heating apparatus 68 may have exposed contactpoints (e.g., exposed contact pads 78) so that when the tub is placed onthe bottom of the humidifier chamber, the contact points engage withcounterpart contact points adapted to supply electrical power. In suchexample, the contact points within the humidifier chamber may be springloaded, so that such contact points must be depressed to effect anelectrical connection, e.g., contact points within the humidifierchamber engage only when the humidifier lid is closed to retain thehumidifier tub within the humidifier chamber.

The heating element 74 may be formed of electrical resistance heatingmaterials such as copper, electrical heating alloys such as Iron-Nickel,Copper-Nickel, Iron-Chromium-Aluminum, Nickel-Chromium, as well as othermaterials such as PTC ink materials, Carbon ink materials, copper foil,and other materials having a relatively low electrical resistance orcombinations thereof. The heating element 74 may comprises metallicfoils, tracks or strips arranged in a serpentine pattern, such as inrows. The heating element 74 may be printed or applied to the dielectriclayer 72. The layout of the heating element and the shape of theserpentine pattern may depend on the shape of the bottom plate 66 of thetub. In use, the heating element 74 converts electrical power to heatenergy. The heating element 74 can be configured in a track layout orpattern. The tracks or strips can be arranged in a concentric ring-likemanner. Advantages of this layout include improved thermal distributionas well as improved tolerance for thermal expansion/contraction of thetracks as it heats/cools. This layout may also improve the resistanceaccuracy during the heating process.

The protective layer 76 may comprise materials commonly used for “soldermasks,” for example polymer or acrylic. Solder masks are conventionallyprinted on or otherwise applied to coat a printed circuit board (PCB),thermally conductive laminate layer and conductive traces of the heatingelement during PCB and metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB)manufacturing processes. In the context of the heating apparatus, theprotective layer 76 may be printed on or otherwise applied to coat theheating element 74 and the dielectric layer 72. The heating element 74can be sandwiched between the protective layer 76 and the dielectriclayer 72. The protective layer 76 may extend over the peripheral edgesof the heating element 74 and directly coat portions of the dielectriclayer 72. Exemplary materials for the protective layer 76 include, forexample, screen printable epoxy mask, liquid photoimageable solder mask(IPSM) and dry film photoimageable solder mask (DFSM). Contact padsand/or other conductive portions of the heating element may be exposedthrough the protective layer 76 to allow for connection of theelectrical leads to the heating element, e.g., by surface mountingtechnology.

The dielectric layer 72 may be a coating, layer or board bonded to thehot plate. The dielectric layer 72 comprises materials which have goodthermal conductivity properties, but are low in electrical conductance,e.g., relatively high electrical resistance, and thus may be referred toas a dielectric laminate layer. The dielectric layer 72 may be acomposite layer of dielectric particles embedded in a filler material,such as a resin. For example, the dielectric layer 72 may includeelectrically insulating dielectric materials, such as ceramics,polymers, polymer and ceramic, polymer mixed with inorganic particles,ceramics coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, e.g., Teflon®, polyimides,boron nitride, alumina, beryllium oxide, aluminum nitride, boronnitride, epoxy composite, and reinforced fiberglass, arranged to form anelectrical insulating layer. In an example, the dielectric breakdownvoltage of the laminate layer may be above 2 kV. Further, the dielectriclayer 72 may be rigid or flexible, and may be planar or have some othershape which may conform to a bottom and/or side of the tub.

During use of the humidification system 100, it is possible that theuser may, for example when filling the tub 106, spill some water intothe recess between the tub 106 and the base unit 112, causing water tocollect on the springs 116, 118 or the terminals 114. A spill may alsooccur if the humidification system 100 or a respiratory therapy systemor enclosure comprising the humidification system 100 is moved and/ortransported with a partially or fully filled tub/chamber. Moisture onthe electrical connections of the system 100 may cause the springs 116,118 and/or the terminals 114 to corrode electrolytically and/or over aperiod of time, decreasing the efficacy or usability of the heatingelement 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration of a humidification system 100 thatseeks to solve at least one of the above problems. In thisconfiguration, the system 100 comprises two or more conductive spillelements 120 on the base unit 112. In some configurations, the spillelements 120 may be described as metallic substantially ellipse-shapedpads. In some configurations the spill elements 120 may be etched orprinted circuits on a substrate. The elements 120 may be used in, forexample, an amperometric sensing method. In some such configurations avoltage may be applied to one of the spill elements 120 (e.g. the‘first’ element 120), and the other spill element 120 (e.g. the ‘second’element 120) may be connected to an input pin of a controller (forexample, a microprocessor) (not shown). The voltage of the secondelement 120 may have a floating state if there is no connection betweenthe spill elements 120. In some configurations, a resistor could be usedto improve reliability of the system by steering the voltage of thesecond element 120 to a known default state if no connection has beenmade between the spill elements 120. When water passes over the elements120, a conductive or resistive pathway between the elements 120 may beestablished through the water. In such a situation, the voltage appliedto the first element 120 may be used to pull up the voltage of thesecond element 120. When this electrical connection between the elements120 is realized, one or more of the elements 120 may send a signal tothe controller that may trigger an event causing the power source (notshown) of the system 100 to stop delivering current to the heatingelement 110 until the elements 120 fail to establish such an electricalconnection (e.g. when the elements are sufficiently dry).

Advantageously, the system 100 may be protected from galvanic corrosionthat may result from current running through spilt water. The conductivespill elements 120 may be placed in other locations in the system 100where a water spill is expected to occur. In some configurations, and asillustrated in FIG. 4, the elements 120 may be placed on the bottomsurface of the tub 106 and/or on the bottom surface of the heatingelement 110. In some configurations, the elements 120 may be placed onthe external side walls of the tub 106 or the walls (not shown) of thebase unit 112. In some configurations one or more of the elements 120may be on the same side as the positive contact terminal of the heatingelement 110 (for example, the heater plate).

In some configurations, electrical energy in the form of a directcurrent (DC) may be applied to the elements 120 to check for anelectrical connection between the spill elements 120. In someconfigurations, an alternating current (AC) may be applied to theelements 120 to check for an electrical connection between the spillelements 120.

In some configurations, the elements 120 may be conductive pads. In someconfigurations, the elements 120 may be terminals for connection tothermistors or other electronic systems. In some configurations, theelements 120 may be a combination of conductive pads and terminals.

Although the above paragraph describes one possible sensing mechanism,any means, structures or configurations by which excess water may bedetected on the tub 106 and/or the base unit 112 may be used. In someconfigurations, the elements 120 may be capacitive sensing elements 120that may be used to detect the presence of water. The elements 120 maybe in close proximity with one another. Preferably, the elements 120 donot physically touch each other. Advantageously, the elements 120 maycomprise a dielectric material covering the elements 120, which mayisolate the elements 120 from the water while still permitting excesswater sensing by the elements 120. Each element 120 may comprise fingersthat spatially interlock (but preferably do not physically meet) withfingers of the other element 120. Capacitance between the pads maydepend on the surroundings, and may be different in the presence ofwater. The capacitance in the presence of water could be considered asignal that water is present in the vicinity of the electricalconnections, and this information could be sent to the controller tostop or otherwise alter the supply of power to the connections asdescribed herein.

In some configurations, the sensing mechanism could occur passively orwithout the use of a controller (e.g. a microprocessor). As a voltage isapplied to the first element 120, if water is present between theelements 120, a non-zero voltage will be present at the second element120. A comparator may be used to compare the voltage across the secondelement 120 to a reference voltage. If the circuit used is an open-loopcircuit, an operational amplifier or OP-AMP may be used as a comparator,however many electrical components may be used as comparators. A signalmay be generated by the comparator and may be sent downstream to a gate.In some configurations, the gate may be a field-effect transistor orFET, for example a metal-oxide-semiconductor FET or MOSFET. If thesignal from the comparator indicates that the voltage across the secondelement 120 exceeds the reference voltage (e.g. if water is presentbetween the elements 120), the gate may be used to switch off power tothe elements 120.

In some configurations, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair ofthermistors 126 may be placed on opposing sides of the base unit 112. Insome such configurations, the elements 120 need not be present. Thethermistors 126 may be exposed to a heat source, for example the heatingelement 110, or may be heated by the current running through thethermistors 126. If water is spilled over the thermistor on the side ofthe base unit 112 closest to the tub 106, a current may be applied tothe thermistors and a voltage may be read across the terminals of thethermistors in order to estimate resistance and/or temperature. Uponcontact with water, a resistance and/or temperature differential may becreated between the thermistors 126 that signals the presence of waterin the space between the tub 106 and the base unit 112. In such ascenario, a signal may be sent to a controller to cut off or otherwisealter power to the heating element 110 as described herein. In someconfigurations, a single thermistor 126 may be used as a water sensor.In some such configurations, the rate of change of temperature of thethermistor 126 may be calculated at two different times, or the rate ofchange of temperature may be compared to a predetermined threshold valuethat may be determined by a calibration step or may be preset. If therate of change corresponds to a value that would be expected if thethermistor 126 was moistened with water, a signal may be sent to acontroller to cut off or otherwise alter power to the heating element110 as described herein. In some configurations, if a pair ofthermistors 126 are used, the thermistors 126 may both be placed in thesame thermal environment (e.g in the region of the water spill) if oneof the pair of thermistors 126 can be protected from moisture.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example surface of a base unit 112 configured tochannel water into a recessed portion of the base unit 112 to detect thepresence of water with sensors 120 so that the water is separated fromelectrical terminals 114. The base unit 112 can be configured such thatspilled water is encouraged (e.g., through gravity) to collect in aregion separate from the electrical terminals 114 to resist or preventwater-related damage or other undesirable effects. In the illustratedexample, the base unit is configured to have recessed portions. Therecessed portions can be annular, compartmentalized, or any othersuitable configuration. The terminals 114 can be configured to bephysically raised from a surface of the base unit 112 so that spilledwater does not pool or collect on or near the terminals 114. Therecessed portion can be coupled to a draining portion to assist in theremoval of water from the base unit 112.

The base unit 112 can have one or more water sensors 120 in the recessedportions of the base unit 112. This configuration may advantageouslydetect the presence of water on the base unit 112 before water-relatedproblems occur in relation to the terminals 114. The sensors 120 can beconfigured to be physically lower than the electrical terminals 114 sothat water is detected prior to the water level reaching the terminals114.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example circuit 700 for controlling power toelectrical contacts 114 based at least in part on the output of a watersensor 120. The circuit 700 can include a power source 702 (e.g., abattery) configured to supply power to the terminals 114 through aswitch or relay 704. The sensor 120 can be electrically coupled to therelay 704 to control whether the switch in the relay 704 is open orclosed. In this way, the circuit 700 can control power to the terminals114 by sending a signal to open the switch in the relay 704 when thesensor detects the presence of water. In the absence of water, thesensor 120 can send a signal to the relay 704 so that the switch in therelay 704 is closed, allowing power to flow from the power source 702 tothe terminals. The circuit 700 is an example of a hardware control ofpower to the terminals 114. Other variations are possible, such ascircuits that include transistors or other electrical componentsconfigured to regulate the flow of electrical power to the terminals 114based at least in part on signals from the sensor 120. Circuits can alsoinclude additional elements configured to allow other inputs to therelay 704 or other similar power-controlling element so that whetherpower is provided to the terminals is based on a number of factors. Thesensor 120 can comprise one or more sensors.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of an example control system 800 fora humidification chamber 100. The control system 800 can include acontrol module 802, a power module 804, and a sensor module 806. Thecontrol module 802 can communicate with the power module 804 and thesensor module 806 to regulate power delivered to a heating elementand/or electrical terminals. In general, when the sensor module 806detects fluid on the base unit, the control module 802 instructs thepower module 804 to restrict and/or substantially terminate the flow ofelectrical power.

In certain implementations, the control module 802 includes one or moreprocessors that communicate with the sensor module 806 and/or the powermodule 804. For example, such a processor may be mounted on a printedcircuit board within the control module 802. The control module 802 canbe configured to receive a signal from the sensor module 806 when thesensor module 806 detects fluid (e.g., water). The processor can thenoutput a control signal to the power module 804 to restrict electricalpower to terminals (e.g., terminals 114).

The control module 802 can be configured to communicate with the sensormodule 806 that is coupled to one or more sensors (e.g., sensor(s) 120).In certain implementations, when the sensor module 806 detects fluid,such as by coming in contact with water, a conductive path iseffectively created between sensor contacts (e.g., where the sensor 120comprises conductive elements situated close together). This can causethe sensor module 806 to provide a signal to the control module 802 toshut off power to electrical terminals. The control module 802 can thensignal the power module 804 to terminate power delivery. In someembodiments, the control module 802 can also cause an alert or alarm(e.g., audio or visual indication) of when the sensor module 806 detectsfluid. For example, the control module 802 can display a message (e.g.,on a display) when liquid is detected by the sensor module 806. Thecontrol module 802 can be electrically coupled to the power module 804such that data and/or control communication may take place therebetween.

The control module 802 is coupled to the sensor module 806 and the powermodule 804, and is configured to output a first control signal to causethe power module 806 to disconnect or terminate the delivery ofelectrical power when the sensor module 806 is providing a first voltagelevel corresponding to water detection. The control module 802 isfurther configured to output a second control signal to cause the powermodule 804 to provide electrical power when the sensor module 806provides a second voltage level corresponding to no detected water.

In some embodiments, the sensor 120 is configured to form a closedcircuit when a fluid, such as a conductive liquid, contacts the surfaceof the sensor 120. For example, the sensor 120 may comprise a stripsensor that is placed on a surface of the base unit 112. Contact of thesensor 120 with water acts to close a circuit. When the circuit isclosed, the control module 802 signals the power module 804 to stop theflow of power. In one arrangement, the sensor 120 can be a tin-lead orzinc-coated copper sensor or other type of sensor.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and thelike, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” The disclosed embodiments may also besaid broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred toor indicated in the specification of the application, individually orcollectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts,elements or features.

Certain features, aspects and advantages of some configurations of thepresent disclosure have been described with reference to use by apatient or user. However, certain features, aspects and advantages ofthe use of the humidification system as described may be advantageouslypracticed by other people on behalf of the patient, including medicalprofessionals, medical device dealers, or medical device providers.Certain features, aspects and advantages of the methods and apparatus ofthe present disclosure may be equally applied to usage by other people.

Certain features, aspects and advantages of some configurations of thepresent disclosure have been described with reference to a respiratorytherapy humidifier. However, certain features, aspects and advantages ofthe humidification system as described above may be advantageously usedwith non-therapeutic humidification devices, such as room humidifiers,or other systems in which electrical connections may be exposed to wateror other liquids, such as coffee makers or water heating devices.Certain features, aspects and advantages of the methods and apparatus ofthe present disclosure may be equally applied to such devices.

Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art also are within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, variouschanges and modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure. For instance, various components may berepositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects andadvantages are necessarily required to practice the present disclosure.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to bedefined only by the claims that follow.

1.-11. (canceled)
 12. A humidification system comprising: a water tubconfigured to contain a volume of a liquid; a base unit configured tosupport the water tub; a heating element; a controller configured todeliver power to the heating element to heat the liquid when the watertub is supported by the base unit; and an electrical sensor positionedat a location of the system so as to protect electronic components at ornear the location from contact with the liquid, wherein the electricalsensor is configured to detect presence of the liquid at the locationand communicate the detection of presence of the liquid to thecontroller.
 13. The humidification system of claim 12, wherein inresponse to receiving the detection of presence of the liquid, thecontroller is configured to output an alarm.
 14. The humidificationsystem of claim 12, wherein the electrical sensor is positioned at thelocation that is at the base unit.
 15. The humidification system ofclaim 12, wherein the electrical sensor is positioned at the locationthat is at one or both of a bottom surface of the water tub or a bottomsurface of the heating element.
 16. The humidification system of claim12, wherein the heating element is located at the water tub.
 17. Thehumidification system of claim 12, wherein the heating element islocated at the base unit.
 18. The humidification system of claim 12,wherein the electrical sensor is positioned at the location that is atan external side wall of the water tub.
 19. The humidification system ofclaim 12, wherein the electrical sensor comprises a plurality ofconductive sensing pads that are spaced apart.
 20. The humidificationsystem of claim 12, wherein the electrical sensor comprises a pluralityof terminals configured to be connected to thermistors.
 21. Thehumidification system of claim 12, wherein the electrical sensorcomprises a combination of conductive pads and terminals configured tobe connected to thermistors.
 22. The humidification system of claim 12,wherein the electrical sensor comprises a thermistor.
 23. Thehumidification system of claim 12, wherein in response to receiving thedetection of presence of the liquid, the controller is configured toreduce or terminate the delivery of power to the heating element. 24.The humidification system of claim 12, wherein in response to receivingthe detection of presence of the liquid, the controller is configured toreduce or terminate delivery of power to at least one of the electroniccomponents.
 25. A method of controlling operation of a humidificationsystem comprising a water tub configured to contain a volume of a liquidand a base unit configured to support the water tub, the methodcomprising: using a controller of the humidification system: receiving asignal from an electrical sensor in response to the electrical sensordetecting presence of a liquid, the electrical sensor positioned at alocation of the humidification system so as to protect electroniccomponents at or near the location from contact with the liquid; andoutputting a fault signal in response to the received signal.
 26. Themethod of claim 25, wherein the fault signal comprises an alarm.
 27. Themethod of claim 25, further comprising controlling power delivered to aheating element of the humidification system in response to the receivedsignal, wherein the element is configured to heat the liquid when thewater tub is supported by the base unit.
 28. The method of claim 25,wherein the electrical sensor is positioned at the location that is atone or both of a bottom surface of the heating element or a bottomsurface of the water tub.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein thecontrolling comprises terminating power delivered to at least one of theelectronic components in response to the received signal.
 30. The methodof claim 25, wherein the electrical sensor is positioned at the locationthat is at the base unit.
 31. The method of claim 25, wherein theelectrical sensor is positioned at the location that is at an externalside wall of the water tub.